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Common Name: Wax Myrtle

General Information

Myrica cerifera is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 9.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

There is a report that some of the constituents of the wax are carcinogenic[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-eastern N. America. Possibly naturalized in S. England[].

Habitat

Thickets on sandy soil near swamps and marshes[], also on dry arid hills in which situation it is often only a few centimetres tall[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	9.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist soil[]. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil according to one report[] whilst another says that it thrives in an acid soil[]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[].
Plants can be evergreen in areas with warmer winters than in Britain[].
Some reports say that the plant is dioecious whilst others say it is monoecious. It is most likely that both forms exist[, ].
A polymorphic species[], there are some named forms. 'Myda' is a large-fruited female form of low growth[].
The fruit is covered with a deposit of wax that has a balsamic odour[]. The fruits can hang on the plant for several years[].
Closely related to M. pensylvanica, with which it hybridizes[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Many species in this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The fruit is about 3mm in diameter with a large seed[]. There is very little edible flesh and the quality is poor[].
Leaves and berries are used as a food flavouring[, , ]. They make an aromatic, attractive and agreeable substitute for bay leaves, and can be used in flavouring soups, stews etc[].
The dried leaves are brewed into a robust tea[].

Medicinal

Wax myrtle is a popular herbal remedy in North America where it is employed to increase the circulation, stimulate perspiration and keep bacterial infections in check[]. The plant should not be used during pregnancy[].
The root bark is antibacterial, astringent, emetic (in large doses), sternutatory, stimulant and tonic[, , , , , ]. It is harvested in the autumn, thoroughly dried then powdered and kept in a dark place in an airtight container[]. It is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, jaundice, fevers, colds, influenza, catarrh, excessive menstruation, vaginal discharge etc[, , ]. Externally, it is applied to indolent ulcers, sore throats, spongy gums, sores, itching skin conditions, dandruff etc[, , ].
The wax is astringent and slightly narcotic[]. It is regarded as a sure cure for dysentery and is also used to treat internal ulcers[].
A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and externally as a wash for itchy skin[].

Other Uses

A wax covering on the fruit contains palmitic acid and is extracted by scalding the fruit with boiling water and immersing them for a few minutes, the wax floats to the surface and is then skimmed off. The fruit is then boiled in water to extract the wax from the pulp and once more the wax is skimmed off. It is then strained through a muslin cloth and can be used to make aromatic candles, sealing wax etc[, , , , , , , , ]. Candles made from this wax are quite brittle but are less greasy in warm weather[]. They are slightly aromatic, with a pleasant balsamic odour[], and do not smoke when put out, making them much more pleasant to use that wax or tallow candles[]. The wax is also used in making soaps[]. About 1 kilo of wax can be obtained from 4 kilos of berries[].
A blue dye is obtained from the fruit[].
The plant can be grown as an informal hedge[], succeeding in windy sites[].
Wood - light, soft, brittle, fine-grained[, ]. The wood weighs 35lb per cubic foot[]. It is of no commercial value[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame[]. Germination is usually good[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer. Fair to good percentage[].
Layering in spring[].